NR NR/L2/OHS/00123 ISSUE 1 PDF

This standard describes pre-employment/pre-placement health screening for hearing damage which is undertaken on all prospective employees who, by the nature of their proposed employment, may be regularly exposed to noise above the upper exposure action values and on all existing employees transferring to work where they may be regularly exposed to noise above the upper exposure action values.

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to describe the system of health screening and health surveillance for employees and prospective employees of Network Rail whose health may be at risk due to exposure to noise at work.

The system of health surveillance is in response to the requirements of the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. Implementation of the standard shall enable Network Rail to comply with its legal obligations under the regulations and meet its duty of care to those with an existing condition.

The health surveillance programme is designed to:

• establish the baseline hearing status of an employee;

• detect the early signs of hearing damage, identify and protect employees at increased risk through further reducing or eliminating noise exposure and confirm whether they are fit to continue undertaking work exposing them to noise;

• assist Network Rail in their assessment and control strategy for noise by providing information on the prevalence of hearing damage amongst employees; and

• give employees advice on personal risks and reinforce the importance of following the prescribed safe system of work.

This health surveillance programme is in addition to the requirements for audiometric testing within the competence and medical fitness standard requirements for staff in a safety critical work post, or other post as required by Network Rail Company and Group Standards.